Sing! Sing! Why not? Lift up your voice like a bird! Your old uncle
doesn't sleep out there in the dust. That's only the dream. He's here--
here--alive. All his age gone and youth glowing in his heart. If I could
only tell you what lies before you--before us all! If people even
_suspected_ what the next life really is, they wouldn't waste time here--I
can tell you _that_. They'd do dreadful things to get away from this
existence--make for the nearest pond or--[_Pausing abruptly._] Ah, here
comes someone who'll know all about it! [_The_ DOCTOR _comes from_
WILLIAM'S _room._ PETER _greets him in a cordial but casual way, as though
he had parted from him only an hour before._] Well, Andrew, I apologize.
[_Bowing obsequiously._] You were right. I apologize.

CATHERINE. How is he, Doctor?

DR. MACPHERSON. William is better. Dropped off to sleep again. Can't quite
understand him.

PETER. I apologize. I said that if I could come back, I would; and here I
am--apologizing. Andrew! Andrew! [_Trying to attract_ DR. MACPHERSON'S
_attention._] I have a message, but I can't get it across. This is your
chance. I want _you_ to take it. I don't wish Catherine to marry Frederik.

DR. MACPHERSON. He's somewhat feverish yet.

PETER. Can't _you_ understand one word?

DR. MACPHERSON. It's a puzzling case....

PETER. What? Mine?

DR. MACPHERSON. [_Getting a pad from his pocket--writing out a
prescription with his fountain pen._] I'll leave this prescription at the
druggist's--

PETER. I'm quite shut out.... They've closed the door and turned the key
on me.

DR. MACPHERSON. [_Suddenly noticing that_ CATHERINE _seems more
cheerful._] What's happened? I left you in tears and here you are--all
smiles.

CATHERINE. Yes, I--I am happier--for some reason.... For the last few
minutes I--I've had such a strange feeling.

DR. MACPHERSON. That's odd: so have I! Been as restless as a hungry mouse.
Something seemed to draw me down here--can't explain it.

PETER. I'm beginning to be felt in this house.

DR. MACPHERSON. Catherine, I have the firm conviction that, in a very
short time, I shall hear from Peter. [_Sitting at the table._

PETER. I hope so. It's high time now.

DR. MACPHERSON. What I want is some positive proof; some absolute test;
some--er--[_Thinks._

CATHERINE _has seated herself at the table.--Unconsciously they both
occupy the same seats as in the first act._

PETER. The trouble is with other people, not with us. You